Subject
Sally Underwood has rheumatoid arthritis and her main problem is in putting on and taking off clothes, shoes and jewellery. Swimwear, that is crucial to the hydrotherapy necessary for her condition, causes her the most problems.
Brief
To design a swimming costume that can be easily put on, and taken off when wet whose design would reduce movement and the repetition of movements involved.
Concept
The team looked at an all-in-one swimsuit with a zip that went from the middle of the chest down to the hip. This meant that Sally would only have to put one leg through a hole, as the costume would then wrap around. By making a feature of the fastening, the team felt that this made the costume fashionable and showed 'honesty and simplicity.' The team settled on a two-piece swimsuit that unwraps so that the wearer can lay it out flat, using a diagonal structure for the garment. The team used the cardigan concept as design inspiration for the garment. The top has magnets in the armholes, so that the wearer can attach a sleeve. The pants were based on a nappy design that fastens on either side with Velcro. The team called the concept Underwood Underwater.
